Traverse mechanism for winding machines



W. H. KREAMER TRAVERSE MECHANISM FOR WINDING MACHINES Nov. 14, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 27, 1946 GEAR REDUCE MA IN OR] VIA/6 MO 70/? MA IN DRIVING MOTOR I I: m w 0 M E R 7 R A a m M A M 8 R 2 m M N 6 m/ w m m E n M a ma MOTOR s a-0 REGUL A 70!? MOTOR 51 550 M REGULATOR SIG/Ml. RECEIVER Fig- W. R m 0 LM mm mm W/LL/AM H. KR EAMER CONSTANT SPEED MOTOR Nov. 14, 1950 w. H. KREAMER 2,529,559

TRAVERSE MECHANISM FOR WINDING MACHINES Filed Dec. 27, 1946 3 Sheets-$heet 2 EAR REDUCER MA/NDR/V/NG Moron a G [7 A /6 44 Q 45 3 4 45 .3 l J l J O 50 ,/28 4 l 40 A 52 MMOTOR spa-0 REGULATOR c. BALANCED mar/517a AMPLlr/zn BRIDGE CIRCUIT cawsmurspsso Jifuonm 1 SIGNAL TRANSMITTER ;DIFFERENT/AL SIGNAL RECEIVERS 40 MOTOR SPEED REGUL/i T0]? 35 INVENTOR.

W/LL/A/V/ H. KREAMER CONSTANT SPEED MOTOR Nov. 14, 1950 w. H. KREAMER 2,529,559

TRAVERSE MECHANISM FOR WINDING MACHINES Filed Dec. 27, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,cowsmvr $1 550 MOTOR BALANCED MAGNET/6 amps: cmcu/r A a 69 8 MAIN/5 2 m/w/va 4 J MOTOR :Liiififl v I I 5 AMPLIFIER a I A I 42a 0 O MOTOR spa-0 25 r -i nsaumron INVENTOR.

WILL/AM H KREA/WER Patented Nov. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAVERSE MECHANISM FOR WINDING MACHINES William H. Kreamer,"Meadville, Pa., assignor to American Viscose Corporation, Wilmington;

Del., acorporation of Delaware Application December. 27, 1946, Serial No-718,830

9 Claims.

The present'invention'relatesto an improved: traverse mechanism for winding-"and twisting machines.

The principal object of'the present'invention is to provide a traverse mechanism for reciprocating a-rail-or carriage in the winding'machine without the necessity of subjecting driving cams nal may be imposed upon any suitable form of regulating or controlling device coupled with the motor'fo'r translating variations in the signal Such now

into variations in the speed of the motor. regulating or controlling devices are standard equipment and it is within the skill of the worker in the-electrical art'to select-a suitable unit for'the specific application inaccordance with thedi'sclosures hereinafter. Accordingly; it-willsuffice herein to indicate" the connections generally without going into the de= tails of the structure of 'such' controlling units. Examples of such units include the General Electi'ic Thymotrol', and the Westinghouse DT-3 Speed Control, the details of which may be found in numerous technical textbooks including catalogues of the specific companies referred to and Industrial Electronic Control by W; D Cockrell, first edition published 1944 by McGraw Hill Book Company, New York, (pages 167 to 176); Further examples are the Westinghouse ,fRototrol and the Allis Chalmers R'egulex and the General Electric Ampledyne, in connection with which'reference may be had to" the catalogues of the respective companiesand Controllers for Electric Motors by James & Markle,

first edition, published1945 by McG'raw-I-Iill Book Company; New York," (pages :15'7to 160). See also Combined Thyratron &' Tachometer Speed Control of SmallMotors A. I. E. E. Trans, vol'.l57'(l938) (pages 565 to 568-). The'electric signal imposed .upon such regulators may be voltage signals resultingfrom the shifting'ofa potentiometer in resistance bridge circuits? of" such controls, or tothe core '(oricoil) of a'vari able inductance inLa magnetic bridge circuit; or they maybe voltagesignals imposed'upon' the" grids in'phase-shiftcircuit's. To develop such signals, a' constant speedcam. maybeutilized" and the follower .may connect" directly to the variable terminal of a' potentiometer irra resistance bridge circuit, or to the core (or coil) in a magnetic bridge'circuit. In addition, inductive systems may be usedfordeveloping the voltage signals, such' as those knownby'the-trade names Selsyn, Synchro, or Autosyn'in connection'with which referencemaybe had to The Selsyn System'of Position Indication by*E'. M.

Hewlett, G. E. Rev. volume 24 (1921) pages 210 to 218. A specifically improved'form of Sels'yn System is found in Patent 2,407,084. See also The'Electronic Control Handbook, Balcher 8: Moulic, published by Caldwell-Clements, Inc, 480 Lexington Avenue, New York 17, N. Y., 1946, pp; 233-246.

motor, in connection with whichreference may be had to the texts of Cockrell or of James =8: Markle.

In the drawing which is'illustrative of the-invention I Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing the operative connections of one embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2is afront view of the traversing rail linkage, as viewed in the direction of the arrow I1" in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view similarto that of "Figure 1, but of a different"embodiment illus trating a modified system of electrical connection,

Figure 4 is another diagrammatic View illustrating a third embodiment of the electrical driving system,

Figure 4a is a-detail view taken on line A-A"of Figure 4,

Figure 5 illustrates a modification of-the' embodiment of Figure 4 in which a-builder mechanism is provided.

Figure '6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating another embodiment, and.

Figure 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment.

As-shown in Figures land 2'of the drawing, the traverse mechanism serves to reciprocate the bobbin rail or carrier 2 vertically, though it could be used to traverse any other rail of awinding' machine transversely or longitudinally of its gth: For example; m the 1 cap I twister shown,

The signal voltage' may also be -de-' rived from a tachometer generator, driven'by a it is applied to move the bobbin rail. In a ring twister, it could traverse either the ring rail or the bobbin rail. It could likewise serve to traverse a thread guide rail longitudinally.

As shown more specifically in Figure 2, the rail 2 supports hollow spindle motors M for driving spools S carried thereby. Caps C are supported on stationary posts P shackled to A to a stationary rail R carried by the frame of the spinning machine comprising the end frame structure F shown.

Figure 2 particularly shows the traverse linkage comprising a plurality of bell crank levers 3 whose fulcrums are pivotally mounted in stationary supports or bracket 4.

Means is provided for constraining the motion of the rail 2 to a straight line path at right angles to the rail. This motion-controlling means is constructed of the following elements. At least one of the levers 3 has one arm 3a constituting a link connected to one end of a lever 5 which has its other end connected to a link 6 pivotally mounted on a stationary support or bracket 1. The arm 3a and link 6 may be or may not be equal in length but the rail 2 is pivotally connected to the lever 5 at a point 8 which is the point of intersection of a line 9 extending between the pivots in brackets 4 and l with the rail 2 when the rail is at an intermediate position, preferably near or at the mid-position of its longest stroke. It will be observed that this controlling means is free of translatory sliding motions, all links being pivotally connected.

Means is also provided for bracing the rail 2 at intervals with suitable follower levers. To accomplish this all of the levers 3 are connected to a common rod II] at points II and one or more of the levers 3 (other than those connected to levers 5) are connected to links I2 which are connected to the rail 2 at I3. If desired, each lever 3 may be Connected to the rail 2 by a lever 5 and in this case, no links I2 are needed. It will thus be seen that the rail 2 has a plurality of points 8 and optionally I3 at which it is supported by levers 5 and optionally links I2 and any movement of the rod I transfers motion to rail 2 simultaneously through levers 3, levers 5, and links I2 (when the latter are used) Any suitable means" for traversing the rail is operatively connected to the system just described at one of the points I I by means of a link I4. While the terms rod, lever and link used herein generally connote an'element of simple structure, it is to be understood that they include as well composite structures, such as a link formed of two parallel strips secured 'together at intervals.

The present invention provides the following improved electrical driving-means comprising a motor I5, preferably D. C., coupled as by a flexible coupling I6 and through a gear reducer I! to a driving shaft l8 carrying fixedly mounted thereon a crank arm I9 pivotally connected to the link I4 at 20. A cam 2| is rotated on shaft 22 by means of a constant speed motor 23 and a follower roll 24 engages the periphery of the cam 2|, being biased thereagainst either by gravit or by spring action. The roll 24 is carried by a swingable arm 25. The swinging of such arm adjusts a potentiometer 26 or any equivalent element in a speed regulator 21 electrically coupled with the motor I as by a line 28. The regulator 27 may receive power from an A. C. source through line 29. The regulator may consist of any standard unit such as that designated in the trade as a Thymotrol and sold by General Electric. Such regulator varies the speed of the motor in response to variation of the potentiometer 26 and thus by suitably selecting the shape of the cam 2|, any desired build of package may be obtained.

In Figure 3, the electrical control of driving motor I5 is modified. In this embodiment, a cam 39 is continuously driven at constant speed by a motor 3|. A cross head 32 has a projection 33 resting in engagement on the periphery of cam 30 so that the cross head moves up and. down within the lateral guides 34 provided for this purpose. A Selsyn transmitter 35 has an arm 36 secured to its rotor and adapted to follow a, roll 31 carried upon the cross head 32. The Selsyn transmitter 35 is connected by a line 38 to a Selsyn receiver 39. The Selsyn receiver develops a voltage which is imposed upon an Amplidyne control unit 40 connected by the line 28 to the motor I5. As in Figures 1 and 2, motor I5 is connected through the crank arm |9 and a link I4 to the traverse rail and a variation in voltage signal transmitted by the Selsyn causes variation in speed of the motor. Selection of the shape of the cam determines the build of package.

In the embodiment of Figures 4 and 4a, the motor I5 is connected by a flexible coupling I6 and a gear reducer I! to a. shaft I8 for driving a pinion 4| which engages a gear 42 which in turn transmits rotation to a shaft 43. In this embodiment, the shaft 43 is fixedly secured to one of the bell crank levers 3 at the fulcrum thereof supported in bearing 4.

A pilot cam 44 is continuously drivenat constant speed. A follower roll 45 is carried on a slide block 46 slidably mounted on a fixed bar 41. A spring 48 normally urges the slide block 46 to the right so that the cam follower 45 follows the surface of the cam 44. The slide block 46 has an offset projecting arm 49 carrying an iron core 50 within a fixed coil 5|, or carrying or abutting against the armature of any equivalent form of magnetic gauge head. The coil 5| comprises part of a balanced magnetic bridge circuit represented by the unit designated 52 in the drawing and the signal developed therein may be connected through an amplifier 53 to an Amplidyne unit 49 connected by line 28 to the motor I5. In this embodiment, the motor I5 is completely reversed at each of the high and low points of the cam 44 as a result of the reversal of direction of relative motion between the core 50 and the coil 5|. The shape of the build of the package can be controlled by the cam 44. A simple cylindrical build:

can be obtained or the package may be tapered at one or both ends in any fashion desired.

In Figure 5, the embodiment of Figure 4 is modified by providing a separate cam 54 which can be termed a builder cam to vary the shape of the package. Assuming cam 44 is driven by motor 55 through a shaft 55 and bevel gears 51, the builder cam 54 may be driven in timed relation thereto by a sprocket 58 on shaft 56, a sprocket 59 On shaft 60 driving bevel gears 6| for driving the builder ca-m, a chain 62 connecting sprocket 58 and 59. If desired, an independent motor may be provided for driving the cam 54 at constant speed, or a clutch may be provided so that cam 54 may be driven or not driven at will independently of the rotation of cam 44. The slide block 46 carries the offset part 49 and the core 59 within coil 5| as in Figure 4 but the follow r oll 4 instead of being mounted on a bearingzwhichzis secured in'iiiied relationtoatheltblocki Ilsacarried upon.adeven631pivotal1ymountedon; the;block-.457at .6421. A.1spring48 tendstto bias the,

package:ofzanyshapegthe speciflcshape obtained.

beinggidependent 1 up0n11.the.-, smaller. builder camwhich may be exchanged at will to obtainrdif:

ferentishapesrl Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment similar in all respects to that in Figure- 3iexcept that the voltage signal imparted to the Amplidyne unit 40 is the result of the differential Selsyns 39 and 390., which may be connected either to add or subtract their individual voltage signals. The Selsyn receiver 39 obtains its impulse from the pilot cam 30 whereas 390. receives its impulse from the traverse rail 2, through the transmitter Selsyn 35a. The rotor of the Selsyn 35a carries an arm 36a which follows a lateral projection 31a on the rail 2.

The most important advantage of th differential Selsyn system as shown in Figure 6 over the Selsyn system shown in Figure 3 is that the rail motion is kept in exact phase relation with the motion set by the pilot cam. In the arrangements shown in Figures 1 through 5, the rail motion may at times tend to fall out of exact phase with the motion set u by the pilot cam. Both Figures 6 and '7 have this feature of exact synchronism of rail motion to pilot motion but Figure 7 embodies a simplified design.

The embodiment of Figure '7 is analogous to that of Figure 4. As shown, the cam 44 operates a slide block 46 on a fixed bar 41 and the follower roll 45 is fixedly related to the block 46. In this embodiment, however, the core 61 is carried by one arm of a bell crank lever 68, the other arm of which follows the slide block. The coil 69 is secured to the rail 2 and this coil 69 occupies the same relation to the balanced magnetic bridge circuit 52 and amplifier 53 as the coil 5| in Figure 4. The voltage signal is transmitted from the amplifier through th Amplidyne unit and line 28 to the motor I5 which drives pinion 4| in engagement with a sector gear 42a. Such sector gear is secured to the bell crank lever 3 at its fulcrum so that oscillation of the sector gear accomplishes reciprocation of the traverse rail.

If desired, instead of relyin upon the shap of the pilot cam 44 to provide a special form of package with one or both ends tapered, an auxiliary cam, similar to cam 54 of Figure 5, may be provided and a lever carrying the followers for the two cams may be secured pivotally to the slide block 46 as in Figure 5.

In the present invention, the traverse mechanism utilizes cams which are not subject to the weight of the rail. Such cams are merely required to develop an electrical signal and particularly voltage signal which is transmitted electrically to vary the velocity of the motor, either by varying it from a maximum to a minimum speed and vice versa repeatedly, or by reversing its direction while maintaining a constant speed throughout each of its strokes. In addition, as a modification, the cam may be shaped to vary the build from a simple cylindrical package, to taper one or both ends, such taper bein either convergent or divergent relatively to the axis of the package as 'desired. Such builder cams are not'subjected to: the weight of the traverse mech anismaand thence =have greatly :reduced wear and,

lengthened. life:v Thez-system.;ofv the present inventi'onaperm-its thexuseeofithe same-controlling" equipmentsior. any traverse motion audit is' highlyflexible since any build or any stroke of :the traversevrail; can. be obtained merelyby an exchange ofionesorzmoreofzthe pilotcams.

Itiis-ttoxbe understood-thatthe description hereinabove sis purely: illustrative and that 1 changes" andivariations mayg be-made without-departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as-defined-:instheoappendediclaims.

I claimz 1:; Traverselmechanism for winding: machines comprising aicarrier. tobe traversed; a variable velocity motor for driving the carrier, a cam, means for driving the cam at constant speed, a device co-operating with the cam for developing an electrical signal the character of which is dependent on the change in contour of the cam, and means responsive to the electrical signal for controlling the velocity of the motor.

2. Traverse mechanism for winding machines comprising a carrier to be traversed, a variablespeed motor for driving the carrier, a cam, means for driving the cam at constant speed, a device co-operating with the cam for developing an electrical signal the character of which is dependent on the change in contour of the cam, and means responsive to the electrical signal for controlling the speed of the motor.

3. Traverse mechanism for winding machines comprising a carrier to be traversed, a reversible motor for driving the carrier, a cam, means for driving the cam at constant speed, a device cooperating with the cam for developing an electrical signal the character of which is dependent on the change in contour of the cam, and means responsive to the electrical signal for reversing the direction of rotation of the motor.

4. Traverse mechanism for winding machines comprising a carrier to be traversed, a reversible, variable-speed motor for driving the carrier, a cam, means for driving the cam at constant speed, a device co-operating with the cam for developing an electrical signal the character of which is dependent on the change in contour of the cam, and means responsive to the electrical signal for controlling the speed and direction of the motor.

5. Traverse mechanism for winding machines comprising a carrier to be traversed, a variablevelocity motor for driving the carrier, a cam, means for driving the cam at constant speed, means co-operating with the cam and the carrier for developing an electrical signal the character of which is dependent jointly on the change i in contour of the cam and the change in position of the carrier, and means responsive to the electrical signal for controlling the velocity of the motor.

6. Traverse mechanism for winding machines comprising a carrier to be traversed, a variablevelocity motor for driving the carrier, a cam, means for driving the cam at constant speed, a device co-operating with the cam for developing an electrical signal the character of which is dependent on the change in contour of the cam, said device comprising two relatively movable inductively related members one of which is moved by said cam, and means responsive to the electrical signal for controlling the velocity of the motor.

7. The mechanism of claim 5 in'which the signal-developing means comprises relatively movable inductively related members, one of such members being disposed in engagement with the cam for movement thereby, and another of such members being disposed for movement by the carrier.

8. The mechanism of claim 6 in which a second cam is provided for altering-the movement imparted by the first-mentioned cam upon said one of the inductively related members, and.

means is provided for rotating the second cam at constant speed.

9. Traverse mechanism for winding machines comprising a carrier to be traversed, a variablevelocity motor for driving the carrier, va cam, means for driving the cam at constant speed,a

second: cam and means-for driving itat constant speed, a movable element, a lever pivotally" mounted on the element, two cam followerscarried by the lever at positions offset from itsfulcrum, means for biasing the elementso that the followers engage the cams, means comprisinginductively related members for developing an electrical signal the character of which depends jointly on the contours of the'two cams, one of said members being connected to the movable element, and means responsive to the electrical signal for controlling the velocity of the motor.

WILLIAM H. KREAMER.

No references cited. 

